Rams get second shot at Bulldogs in playoff opener

Thursday

Rutherford’s return to the field for the first time in a month in last week’s 26-12 loss to Marianna at Tommy Oliver Stadium saw the Rams predictably look a bit rough around the edges.

The Rams (2-6) hope the rust is fully knocked off in time for Friday night’s rematch with the Bulldogs in the Region 1-4A quarterfinals in Marianna (4-5) at 7:30 p.m. Marianna is the host as the No. 4 seed in the region, with Rutherford the No. 5 seed. The winner will advance to next week’s region semifinal against top-seeded Raines, which has a bye this week.

With much more at stake in Friday’s rematch, Rutherford coach Loren Tillman said he believes his team will be ready to give a much better representation of itself than last week.

"Two things: first of all, we hadn’t been on the field for a month," he said. "We were just getting back into a rhythm at game speed, so hopefully last week is going to be big for helping us make those adjustments to the game speed. The second one was both us and Marianna were in the same boat with not having the ability to watch video and do a regular game plan.

"We’ve got internet back at the school now, so we were able to sit down with the boys and watch video and make the adjustments that we feel will help us this Friday night."

Rutherford scored touchdowns on its opening series of the first and second halves but struggled otherwise to sustain drives and avoid crucial mistakes. Two turnovers and a blocked punt that led directly to a Marianna touchdown proved too difficult to overcome for the Rams.

Tillman, however, said the issues for his team ran much deeper than those miscues.

"We didn’t line up the way we need to on defense," he said. "Tackling was a problem. It had really been a month since we tackled live in a game situation, having our eyes down and not seeing blitzes, things we could work on this work and incorporate into our practice so we hopefully execute better Friday."

Marianna’s single-wing offense is unique and a challenge to prepare for, with the Bulldogs incorporating two quarterbacks, Brady Donaldson and Caleb Torbett, and having a variety of ball carriers taking direct snaps from center. The Bulldogs had eight different runners account for their 218 rushing yards on 40 attempts in last week’s win.

The Rams have seen the single-wing once this season all the way back in the season-opener against Bay on Aug. 17. Getting a look at it last week could prove an advantage for Tillman and his players as they prepare to face it again.

"Not everybody runs it. It’s not an offense you see every week," he said. "Seeing it two weeks in a row will hopefully be beneficial because the boys will understand what they’re trying to do and be able to counter it. Hopefully, we’ll be better making those adjustments and have them understanding leverage and numbers and then going out and executing."

The Rutherford offense wasn’t terribly efficient either, gaining just 179 yards on 49 plays and rushing for 89 yards on 33 attempts. Tillman said the Bulldogs have a fast and aggressive defense whose speed the Rams will have to match in order to produce more Friday.

"Defensively, their linebackers are really good and run to the football really well," he said. "We have to play at game speed and understand that they’re coming. Last week we were a step slower than what we normally play. I hope a faster gear at practice this week will help us be there to make blocks and give guys an opportunity to make plays this week."

Of course just getting to the postseason is an accomplishment for a Rutherford team that has struggled to get wins and wasn’t sure it would even be able to finish the season after Hurricane Michael.

"That was our goal coming in," Tillman said of making the playoffs. "We knew we had a tough schedule, but we also realized the point system wasn’t going to penalize us for playing a tough schedule and that it would benefit us. Our goal was always to get into the playoffs because anything can happen once you get there and we’re here now.

"We would love to win a ballgame for our community and our school. With everything that has went on that the young men couldn’t control with the storm and the aftermath, it would be something we can give back to our school and community with a win."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.